Today in History (March 18^th,1922)

Mahatma Gandhi was sentenced to six years of imprisonment for disobedience by British magistrates in India.

Summary of Today’s News

U.S.-urged-to-declare-SFJ-a-terror-organisation

The meeting took place in New Delhi on Monday.
Rajnath Singh urged the U.S. to declare the Khalistan separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) as a terrorist organisation.
SFJ is led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

The meeting covered a range of topics, including defence and information sharing to strengthen the India-U.S. partnership.
Rajnath Singh stated that Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) was involved in terrorist activities and supported by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence.
Singh urged the U.S. to take action against SFJ and designate it a terrorist organisation.
Maritime cooperation and other areas of collaboration were also discussed.

The bilateral defence partnership between India and the U.S. was reaffirmed.
Discussions emphasized strategic security as a vital component of the global strategic cooperation between both countries.
Both leaders reviewed progress in military exercises, strategic cooperation, defence industrial supply chain integration, and maritime information-sharing.

Rajnath Singh thanked Ms. Gabbard for her “steadfast goodwill” and admiration for Indian culture, which further deepens India-U.S. ties.
Gabbard spoke about concerns over the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh and “Islamist terrorism,” which is a significant issue for President Trump.

China-welcomes-Modi’s-comments,-points-to-2,000-year-history-of-ties

China welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on achieving “normalcy” in India-China border relations.
Modi’s comments were made during an interview with a U.S.-based podcaster, Lex Fridman.
He mentioned that India and China were restoring ties to the pre-2020 state and ensuring differences don’t escalate into disputes.

Modi’s remarks are seen as a strong indication that India and China are ready to move beyond the tensions of the past five years.
This includes the Galwan clashes, where 20 Indian soldiers were killed by PLA soldiers, and the ongoing border standoff.

Mao Ning, a Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, called Modi’s comments a “positive statement on China-India relations.”
Referring to the Modi-Xi meeting in October 2024 in Russia, Mao emphasized that both countries have implemented the important consensus from their leaders, strengthened exchanges, and achieved positive results.

Modi stated that India and China have “no real history of conflict” and should maintain a strong relationship in the future.
He likened the two countries to a “family,” acknowledging occasional disagreements as natural in such relationships.

Mao Ning pointed out the 2,000-year history of China-India exchanges, highlighting mutual learning, understanding, and friendly exchanges.
She echoed Modi’s sentiments, referring to the “Dance of the Dragon and the Elephant,” symbolizing the relationship between China and India.

The warm statements come after several visits and meetings between high-ranking officials from both countries:
- National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Beijing.
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
These engagements may signal more bilateral exchanges in the future.

Modi is expected to travel to China in June 2025 for the SCO Summit.
India and China are working towards resuming travel links, including business and tourist visas, Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, and the return of journalists.

The U.S. carried out new air strikes on Yemen on Monday, as reported by the Houthis’ Al Masirah TV.
These strikes are part of the largest U.S. military operation in West Asia since President Donald Trump took office in January.

The air strikes were launched in response to threats from the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels against international shipping.
Saturday’s strikes had already killed 53 people, including five children and two women, with 98 others injured.

The latest air strikes targeted the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah and Al Jawf governorate, located north of the capital, Sanaa.

President Donald Trump directly linked the actions of the Houthis to Iran, which is their primary benefactor.
Trump warned Iran would face “dire consequences” for any further attacks by the Houthis.
He described the Houthis as “sinister mobsters” and made it clear that any future attack by the group would be met with “great force.”
Trump emphasized that any attack by the Houthis would be considered as an attack by Iran, holding Tehran responsible for the actions of the Houthis.

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